Squat pain

[cookslow]

I currently have a back injury and this pain was around before it even happened, so..

If I attempt to go over 225 on a squat rack (free weight) after about the 4-5th rep I start to get a pain in my right upper Delt, right above the collar bone, almost like a nerve is being pinched by the bar itself. I can rest for weeks before doing squats again, its still there. What could this possibly be?

This is not a muscle pain, its a shooting pain that is unbearable.

[Bisons]

An unusual one!

Obviously nothing more than a guess but the most obvious reason that I can think of is your grip on the bar. Do you have you hands quite close to your body? Have you tried spreading them out to the end of the bar so they're actually touching the weights?

I used to have to do this when I had tendonitis in my forearms. I gradually brought my arms closer in each workout as the injury healed.

This does take a bit of getting used to and you really need to setup well and keep your upper back tight for the bar to sit properly.

[cookslow]

I usually have my grip where I have it on a bench press.

Index finer is on the outside of the smooth area in between the rigged ares. (wide grip)
(just the way we were taught my my at the time football coach)

I will try this technique you speak of though, believe I tried a few years ago, threw my balance off.

[Bisons]

It does make it harder but worth a try to see if it helps.

Another thing. Where do you have the bar resting? On your traps or lower down on your rear delts? If up high on traps maybe the weight is crushing something, hence you only feeling it once you hit 225.

[tooncesthecat]

If the bar is riding too high on your neck, it could pinch a nerve, however, this would likely hurt your neck also and you would definitely notice it. Do you ever have problems with your rotator cuff? If you aren't sure, check these

[cookslow]

Nope, never had problems with shoulder